Miller-Meeks Weekly Script September 22, 2024 WEEKLY SC℞IPT Visit My Website Rep. Miller-Meeks: Improving Access to Vital Health Care for Kids As a mother, physician, and congresswoman, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles families face when seeking specialized medical care for their children. This is particularly true for those dealing with rare and complex pediatric conditions, where the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s alarming that accessing the necessary treatment often means navigating a sea of bureaucratic hurdles that can delay care—sometimes for months or even years. Just last week, the House passed my legislation, H.R. 4758, the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, aimed at dismantling these barriers. This bill is not just a policy change; it’s a response to the urgent needs of families across Iowa and the country. A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that children with complex medical needs often wait two to three months for out-of-state care, a timeline that can lead to severe health consequences. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act addresses this critical issue by streamlining the enrollment process for out-of-state pediatric providers under Medicaid. By allowing states to implement a simplified enrollment system, we can significantly reduce the delays that have long plagued families in need of urgent care. Additionally, once a provider is enrolled, they will remain active for five years unless otherwise terminated, ensuring more stability in healthcare delivery. Another key component of this bill is the requirement for transparency in prescription drug pricing, specifically targeting the harmful practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PBMs often engage in spread pricing, where they charge higher amounts to the state than they pay to pharmacies for the same drugs. The new regulations will prohibit this practice in Medicaid, ensuring that payments made by PBMs reflect actual costs, thus protecting families from inflated drug prices. The bipartisan support for H.R. 4758 is heartening, with endorsements from over 215 organizations, including the Children’s Hospital Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This consensus underscores the urgent need for reform in pediatric care access. As we move forward, it’s crucial for the Senate to pass H.R. 4758. This legislation is a practical step toward ensuring that all children can access the specialized care they need without unnecessary delays. By streamlining the enrollment process and promoting fair pricing practices, we can significantly improve healthcare access for families across Iowa and beyond. The time for decisive action is now. The Weekly Wrap It’s been a busy week back in Washington D.C.! From committee hearings on issues impacting everyday Iowans, to the House passing two of my bills that will ensure kids are getting the quality health care they need, here’s your Weekly Wrap! Representing Iowa's 1st In D.C. Honored to have spoken at the 14th Hy-Vee Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, alongside 80 incredible veterans. Grateful for their service and sacrifice. The HFQC’s mission to bring our heroes to D.C. to visit their memorials is truly inspiring. It was an honor to welcome the Quad Cities Honor Flight to Washington DC. God Bless our Veterans! I met with the Iowa Turkey Federation to discuss ongoing efforts to mitigate HPAI and avian metapneumovirus as well as the urgent need to pass the Farm Bill. Honored to join the 2024 Kraft Heinz Packathon with Rise Against Hunger! Together, we packed 25,000 meals for those in need, all part of their mission to deliver 1.5 billion meals by 2025. Proud to support such an impactful effort! It was great meeting with the Iowa American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to discuss the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, a bill I'm proud to be cosponsoring! Great meeting with University of Iowa Health Care to discuss Medicare payment reform and improving prior authorization for better patient care. Floor Speeches I spoke in support of my bipartisan Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, which passed the House! I spoke in support of my bipartisan Medicaid Program Improvement Act, which passed the House! Honored to recognize the incredible work of Kids For Vets in the Quad Cities! Through their lemonade stands, they’ve raised over $10,000 to support local veterans! I highlighted the $1.5 million in federal funding secured for the University of Iowa’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. This funding will be used to build state of the art space equipment to help train the next generation of cosmic leaders. I congratulated Matt Stutzman of Fairfield, Iowa, for winning the gold medal in archery in the 2024 Paralympics. Matt is a distinguished athlete who has overcome the immense obstacle of being born without both arms to set the new paralympic record of a score of 149 points out of 150 points possible. Committee Hearings I Chaired a key House Committee On Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee Hearing. I questioned the EPA Inspector General in key E&C Hearing Sincerely, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks ### Rep. Miller-Meeks | 1034 Longworth HOB | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice